A friend suggested I read a book called “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand a few months ago. Ms. Hillenbrand is the same author who wrote “Seabiscuit” the story of a depression era race horse. That book was turned into a movie staring Jeff Bridges.

Author Laura Hillenbrand – Copyright Laura Hillenbrand

SPOILER ALERT – Details about the book are below.

“Unbroken – Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.”

This story was about a troubled youth, Louis Zamperini, the son of an Italian immigrant family during the depression, who eventually found his way into college. He had a natural ability for track and, with his brother coaching him, his skills allowed him to compete in the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany.

After that, the war ended his dreams as he was swept up in the events of WW2. He was commissioned a LT in the U.S. Army Air Force where he served in the Pacific Theater.

I will stop with giving away too much more of the book. I will say that if you think you have ever had a bad day in life, you may want to read this true story. This man had an incredibly strong will in life. As you read this story you can not help but admire the sheer determination that Mr. Zamperini displayed throughout his life.

His wife, Cynthia Applewhite-Zamperini, was an amazing woman. I would have loved to hear more on her story. How she cared for this man after the war. They were married for fifty-five (55) years!

Cynthia Applewhite-Zamperini – Copyright L. Zamperini

There is so much to this man’s incredible journey in life. I would love to write my thoughts about it, but it would ruin the narrative for you!

Louis Zamperini

To quote Ms. Hillenbrand from the Amazon site:

“That first conversation with Louie was a pivot point in my life. Fascinated by his experiences, and the mystery of how a man could overcome so much, I began a seven-year journey through his story. I found it in diaries, letters and unpublished memoirs; in the memories of his family and friends, fellow Olympians, former American airmen and Japanese veterans; in forgotten papers in archives as far-flung as Oslo and Canberra. Along the way, there were staggering surprises, and Louie’s unlikely, inspiring story came alive for me. It is a tale of daring, defiance, persistence, ingenuity, and the ferocious will of a man who refused to be broken.

The culmination of my journey is my new book, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. I hope you are as spellbound by Louie’s life as I am.”